As the effects of the pandemic start to wane and people begin to return to some sense of normalcy, many Americans are starting to plan their long-awaited vacations. However, rising inflation is substantially increasing the cost of travel in both hotel prices and fuel. In this article, travel expert Brad Schnickel discusses how to plan your next vacation as goods and services get more expensive.
According to a report by The Washington Post, travel costs rose by 14.4 percent in Oct. of 2021 compared to the same time in 2020. Overall, consumer prices rose nearly seven percent in 2021. The bottom line is it costs more to travel today than it did before the pandemic. Fortunately, some travel sectors are going against the inflationary grain.
Airfare Costs
Air travel hasn’t recovered to the levels it saw before the pandemic, and current prices reflect that trend. However, you should still plan your flights ahead of time. Although prices will get higher as demand increases, Brad Schnickel explains that most airlines will offer price discounts as demand ebbs and flows. The best way to find a discount is to take advantage of the array of travel apps currently available.
Save In Advance for Your Vacation, Explains Bradley Schnickel
You should still save money in advance of your vacation. Prices will likely rise even higher during the peak summer travel season, especially if the pandemic continues to stop disrupting daily life. Brad Schnickel states you can open a savings account, like a high-yield account, dedicated specifically to your vacation. This is especially beneficial if you don’t plan to take your vacation right away.
Money-saving apps also help pad your vacation bank account. For a small fee, most of these apps automatically transfer a predetermined dollar amount from your checking account to your savings account. You can also pick up a side hustle to save for your vacation.
Doordash, Uber and Lyft are excellent side jobs you can easily adapt to your daily routine, explains Bradley Schnickel – and all three companies let workers set their own schedules.
If You Work Remotely, Stay Longer
Brad Schnickel explains that many pandemic travelers are choosing affordable destinations and staying longer if their jobs let them work remotely. Many countries now offer remote work visas, and many affordable destinations, like Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, have the infrastructure (think high-speed internet) to work remotely.
Flexibility Is Key
To jump over the travel inflation hurdle, Brad Schnickel explains you have to be as flexible as you can. If you’re not patient and jump on the first low-cost vacation package you see, it could hurt your travel budget in the long run.
Flexibility also includes the activities you choose while you’re on vacation. For example, instead of dining out every night at local hotspots, you can eat lunch at a popular food truck. Bradley Schnickel also says there is nothing wrong with booking your stay at a budget motel instead of a five-star resort – especially if luxury and amenities aren’t at the top of your travel wish list.
Discover more about beating inflation when planning your next vacation by discussing your options with travel expert Bradley Schnickel.